Connecting skilled Queenslanders to the World
QOF Scholarship and Global Connections Bursary
Have you ever thought about testing your vocational skills overseas or are you a professional working in the VET sector and considering an international short-term professional development placement?
The QOF offers both a Scholarship and Bursary opportunity for Queensland residents to further their career overseas.
Check out our funding programs to see how you can undertake a career experience of a lifetime and bring back an international perspective on your industry.
Start the journey today:
What is the Queensland Overseas Foundation (QOF)
The Queensland Overseas Foundation Inc. is a voluntary, non-profit organisation. It provides vocational education and training graduates and professionals with the opportunity to broaden their vocational horizons and improve their career prospects by working overseas. Established in 1976, the Foundation is sponsored by industry and supported by the Queensland Government. It operates through a Board of Governors representing a range of industries and expertise.
Want to develop your career overseas?
If you have ever thought about testing your vocational skills overseas or traveling overseas for professional development, opportunity might be knocking. The Queensland Overseas Foundation could be your passport to furthering your career overseas.
How can we help you?
Each year, the Foundation makes a limited number of overseas scholarships and bursaries available to help Queenslanders realise their dreams of working internationally in their chosen field.
A scholarship comprises a return airfare to the country of choice, together with a settling-in allowance to cover initial costs encountered. If you receive a scholarship, it is your responsibility to arrange a work or study placement before leaving Australia.
A bursary comprises a financial contribution ($3,000) towards an international professional development activity of your choice.
Am I eligible?
Scholarship
If you have completed an apprenticeship or traineeship (Certificate III or above) in the past four years and gained relevant work experience, you may be eligible. You will also need to be a Queensland resident and be prepared to take up the scholarship within 12 months of it being awarded.
(Note: Recipients are required to give an undertaking to return to Queensland after the scholarship period and provide the Foundation with a report on the experience.)
Bursary
- You must be a Queensland resident and an Australian citizen;
- You must be employed in Queensland in the vocational education and training sector e.g. in a registered training organisation, group training organisation, industry skills council or other business entity with a significant focus on vocational and trades training;
- You must have at least two years’ work experience in the industry;
- You must have demonstrated support from your employer or industry sector to undertake this international professional development.
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Past Scholarship Recipients
Each year, the Foundation makes a limited number of overseas scholarships available to help young Queenslanders realise their dreams of working internationally in their chosen field.
Over 105 Scholarships have been provided to young Queenslanders who have travelled to all areas of the globe in the search of industry and cultural experience.
QOF Global Connections Bursary
The QOF Global Connections Bursary aims to assist early and mid career VET trainers and assessors (VET graduates) presently employed in Queensland to undertake short-term training, professional development and knowledge exchange opportunities abroad.
Funding of up to $3,000 is available to support attendance at courses, workshops, conferences, work shadowing and other development activities that will contribute to the work and training outcomes of Queensland VET students and apprentices.
These bursaries will enable more skilled Queenslanders to engage with new technologies, industry practice and ideas from around the world. Bursary recipients are required to share their experiences with the VET industry upon their return to Queensland. Click here for information about eligibility and selection.
Apply for a 2025 Bursary
Testimonials from Past Recipients
Mostyn Higgs
2013 QOF Scholarship Recipient
"Although I strongly believe Australia is an industry leader in construction, there is so much that we can learn from international markets. Dubai is well known for iconic projects, and I’m excited to learn different methods and ways of building to bring back to the team here in Queensland."
Mostyn completed a Certificate III in Carpentry at TAFE Queensland SkillsTech and a Certificate IV in Civil Construction at RudTek. He used his scholarship to travel to Dubai where he has been working on major infrastructure projects including his current position as Construction Manager for Brookfield-Multiplex working on the iconic building ‘The Opus’. Mostyn has found that despite facing a number of challenges while on his scholarship, he has gained an enormous amount of experience, not only in construction but also in management.
Richard Ousby
2007 QOF Scholarship Recipient
“To young people thinking about taking an international work and study experience I say - do it - take a risk. The experience is invaluable for not just your professional life but your personal life too. It can be scary but it is an endeavour worth taking.”
Richard has had a remarkable career including his significant appointment as Executive Chef for Stockhouse Restaurants in Brisbane and Melbourne. After being awarded a QOF Scholarship, he travelled to the United Kingdom where he worked at the famous three Michelin star establishment, Waterside Inn on the River Thames in Bray. On his return to Queensland in 2011, he was awarded the prestigious Electrolux Australian Young Chef of the Year Award, a year later, the Aqua Panna and S. Pellegrino Young Chef of the Year Award in Venice, Italy.
Amiee Kahl
2010 QOF Scholarship Recipient
“I honestly believe that winning the QOF scholarship got me where I am today - it gave me the confidence to take that leap overseas. This was something I always wanted to do but probably would not have done without the support and encouragement of the QOF and my mentors.”
After winning a QOF Scholarship, Amiee moved to London and secured employment with London street-wear label ‘Lazy Oaf’ as their Production Co-ordinator and later Product Development Manager. During her time with Lazy Oaf, she travelled to Hong Kong and China regularly and visited Portugal, Las Vegas and South Korea for trade shows and market research. In July 2015 she was offered the role of Design and Production Manager with Brisbane based womenswear label Maiocchi and in September 2015 she returned to Brisbane to continue her exciting career in fashion.
